The cross is Gods way of taking away all of our accusations, excuses, and arguments.

When we deny the spiritual dimension to our existence, we end up living like animals. And when we deny the physical, sexual dimension to our existence, we end up living like angels. And both ways are destructive, because God made us human.

When Isaiah predicted that spears would become pruning hooks, that's a reference to cultivating. Pruning and trimming and growing and paying close attention to the plants and whether they're getting enough water and if their roots are deep enough. Soil under the fingernails, grapes being trampled under bare feet, fingers sticky from handling fresh fruit. It's that green stripe you get around the sole of your shoes when you mow the lawn. Life in the age to come. Earthy.

If it is true, if it is beautiful, if it is honorable, if it is right, then claim it. Because it is from God. And you belong to God.

Why blame the dark for being dark? It is far more helpful to ask why the light isn’t as bright as it could be.

You're here, you're breathing, you are the recipient of an extraordinary act of generosity called life.

My parents were both very intellectually honest, straightforward, and for them, faith meant that you were fully engaged.